WEDNESDAY was a day of change - a change in the weather (finally some sun!) and a change in the routine with no training planned and a trip to the top of a mountain to go white water rafting organised.

It was a slightly later start to the day with breakfast at 9am, then everyone was on the coach to go even higher up into the Alps above the town of St Johann to the launching point for the rafts.

There were five WFC boats, each with seven people (plus a local instructor) on board and a fair amount of confidence was floating around based on last year's rafting exploits in a different part of Austria.

What a sight it was to watch the Hornets' players and staff get kitted out in their fetching skin-tight rubber wet suits and life jackets! In some cases it was difficult to establish exactly who it was concealed beneath the giant helmets dished out for everyone's safety.

In order to get properly familiarised with the water, each member of the group had to lie flat on the river and the air was immediately pierced by the high-pitched screams as the icy water seeped through the wetsuits and made contact with the Watford extremities!

Once everyone had had their soaking, it was time to load up into the boats.

As last year, the trip down the river was punctuated by never ending attacks amongst the boats. And just like twelve months ago, it was the manager who was the first up over the barricades as he launched himself full length from his boat onto one containing the players which had pulled up alongside.

Aidy fought determinedly, but ultimately unsuccessfully, to drag John Eustace into the water but only ended up being attacked by all of John's teammates, many of whom took full advantage of the opportunity to dish out some punishment to their manager.

The boss had to beat a hasty retreat but it was no surprise to see that the first member of the party to go for an extended dip was Darius Henderson who fell out of his boat and floated over some rapids on his backside for a good couple of hundred meters.

Thankfully the big striker emerged unscathed and managed to scramble his way back onto his own craft. From there it was a race for the line and a battle to stay out of the water for everyone.

Once everyone had scrambled their way back onto shore, there was a picnic and a short trip back to the hotel. The rest of the day was free so most players took advantage of the blazing sun by relaxing around the pool with one eye on Thursday's return to the training field.